Exhibitions

As part of the РАС-UA 2 PinchukArtCentre presents a solo exhibition by Arsen Savadov. The show entitled “Blow-Up” will be open to public on the 5th floor of the art centre from 21 May to 28 August, 2011.

The new installation by Savadov specially produced for the PAC-UA 2 refers with its title to the “Blow Up” film (1966) by Michelangelo Antonioni. Savadov’s universe at the PinchukArtCentre is a collage of photographs he took in earlier years, including “Book of the Dead”, new created paintings with as central theme sexuality and the continuous endeavour of discovering a sense of artistic freedom.

The project encompasses ten selected photos from Savadov’s famous series, such as “Angels”, “Book of the Dead”, “Karaim's cemetery”, “Inessant “, “Donbass-Chokolate”, “Collective Red”, “Kokto”, “Marxism de Sad” and “Underground”, in a new interpretation. Additionally, for this exhibition the artist has created two new paintings.

Two strange sculptural objects, a see star, supporting the roof from tumbling in and a lamb entailing a long iconographical history, are made from purple paper, reminding a short scene of the film “Blow Up”. The paper holds Savadov’s collage together both literally and symbolically, referring to a deep desire of freedom through sexuality and dissident behaviour.

Arsen Savadov: “I see the characters in my work as part of an Odyssey, where all projects are connected not by abstract art, but by the idea of humanity. This is anthropology. This is Lévi-Strauss. My characters are passing from one project to another – this is similar to Fellini’s film La Dolce Vita, where Marcello Mastroianni, the main character, can’t find himself in this life.”

PAC-UA offers a window for new produced works of Ukrainian artists with a view to research ongoing artistic processes within the country and support strong and long-term collaboration between the PinchukArtCentre and Ukrainian artists. With its PAC-UA project, PinchukArtCentre presents a new special dynamic and flexible program line for Ukrainian artists that will be showcased in a dedicated space on the 5th floor for a period of one month.

Arsen Savadov’s solo exhibition is open from 21 May to 26 June. Open hours: 12:00 to 21:00 from Tuesday through Sunday. Monday is off. Admission is free.